Ecology and Management of Pallid Sturgeon and Sturgeon Chub in the Lower Platte River, Nebrasks

• Description: related to the Platte River Endangered Species Partnership ‎(aka Platte River Recovery Implementation Program or PRRIP)‎
• State: NE
• State: CO
• State: WY
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 6/25/2002
• Author: School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska Lincoln
• Title: Ecology and management of pallid sturgeon and sturgeon chub in the lower Platte River, Nebraska
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

solids and turbidity values averaged the highest at Waterloo on the Elkhorn River (Table 3 -3).
a
From this the following relationships are evident. Figures 3 -2 through 3 -7 show recorded values
for water quality parameters at each of the sampling stations during the sampling period. Each
point on the graph represents the average of all the measured positions at that station on a given
day. Figure 3 -2 shows the average temperature at the different locations and the expected trend of
warm water in the summer and cold water in the winter. The peak temperatures at all sites
occurred late in July, 2001. Numerous records of ice or temperature just above freezing were
recorded at all sites during the winter months, yet the Salt Creek site had a warmer temperature
profile for the winter and more open water throughout the winter was noted. It is also interesting
to note the rapid warming and cooling at all sites with changes greater than 15 °C occurring in a
month's time. Figure 3 -3 shows the average dissolved oxygen concentrations at each location
surveyed. In general, dissolved oxygen concentrations appear to average between 9 to 12 mg/L.
Figures 3 -4, 3 -5, and 3 -6 show specific conductivity, conductivity and salinity, respectively. All
three water quality parameters exhibit similar trends across the sampling locations. Salt Creek,
has higher salinity concentrations and consistently higher conductivity readings. The other three
sites are generally stable in their overall solute concentrations. The large swings in conductivity
and salinity readings in Salt Creek are probably due to large discharge events which dilute the
base flow waters. Figure 3 -7 shows the average total suspended solids (TSS) at the sampling
locations. The TSS profiles for all locations are generally consistent with the highest suspended
solids occurring during the spring months.
Water quality monitoring within the lower Platte River Basin has shown that water
quality is most similar among Platte River sites and the Elkhorn River. The condition of the
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